]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/01/28/video-ray-lewis/feed/0Patrick Willis wanted to be a Volhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/01/28/patrick-willis-wanted-to-be-a-vol/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/01/28/patrick-willis-wanted-to-be-a-vol/#commentsMon, 28 Jan 2013 15:47:28 +0000JIM WYATT, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=23982NEW ORLEANS Patrick Willis of the 49ers is a six-time Pro Bowler and widely considered the best linebacker in the NFL.

He’s set to play in Super Bowl XLVII here on Sunday against the Ravens.

Willis, who is from Bruceton, Tenn., got some of his motivation when the University of Tennessee passed him over in the recruiting process as he came out of high school.

I asked him here Sunday night whether he wanted to go to UT. He was very open in his response.

“Yes I did. I was a Vols fan growing up. That was like America’s Team. I wanted to go there so bad. After every (high school) game my dad and I would get in the car and drive five hours to go to Knoxville to watch them play on an unofficial visit. This was on our gas money and our time. I just wanted to show them how bad I wanted to be there,” Willis said.

“I can’t forget being there and you have all these other big-time recruits there and they are shaking their hands and the coaches are talking to them. The coaches never shook my hand. They never talked to me. One day I just got tired of doing that. My senior year, I remember going up and saying, ‘Coach I see all of the other guys getting love. I really want to come here. I’m interested in coming here. Do you have something for me? Maybe a scholarship offer? Maybe something just saying you want me?’ ”

But the Vols never showed interest in Willis, who ended up signing with Ole Miss.

It hurt, but Willis said it worked out in the long run. The 49ers made him a first-round pick in 2007.

“I’ll never forget getting in the car with my foster dad and we’re riding home and I cried. I cried, not because I was sad, but more so because I knew how badly I wanted to be a Tennessee Vol. I knew what type of player I could be,” Willis said.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t go to a 5A school. I’m sorry that I wasn’t in a town that could be recognized, but we are what we are. We are in the situation that we’re in. The good Lord had a plan for me. I ended up going to Ole Miss. I went there and had a blast and had a great time playing football there. Here I am all these years later. The Lord had a plan for me.”